reality check...

[ddschris]

hello all,


here comes the same old "do i have a chance?" thread..
I think it is like the cannon on G of SDN,
so many variation of the same story
you just can't help it but hear it here and there..

but here it goes again..

I have a horrible UGPA (2.2ish..)
I looked at my official transcripts,
and I don't know if one can find a worse looking transcript than mine..
(lots of Ws, Ds, Fs, along with Repetes..)

Anyhow, I can't give up on my dreams of being a dentist..
maybe I am overly optimistic, or simply not grasping the reality,
but i feel like i am a better student than my number suggest.
(possibly the most used cliche in this forum..)


So, I decided to take on some post-bach courses,
I am doing better(3.5ish), and i am trying to get into one of the
SMP schools next spring. I am aiming 2010 cycle to try my luck for the dental school..That is the plan, anyway..

Fall term is starting within days, but I find myself more depressed than excited..

I guess deep inside, I am wondering if I am wasting my life following
impossible..

My questions to you guys is, did I dig too great of hole to get out of?
Do you guys think I would have any, ANY realistic shot of getting an admission??


I don't see myself doing anything other than being a dentist,
and i am willing to take my time and resource to achieve the dream.

but, you know, you have to be realistic at the same time...




oh, and i do have good DAT score (21/21/21) from two years ago.
I am hoping to improve from that score when I take it (again!)
next summer or so..



any input would be greatly appreciated..

thanks!!!

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[losdientes]

If you're willing to take the time, I would suggest getting a masters and maintaining that 3.5ish average.

What did you major in for your undergrad?

Though, I DO feel your chances of acceptance are very unlikely with the grades you received your first four years of college, you can still prove yourself post-bach. A 2.2 GPA suggest a lack of trying. An adcom will think you did not take college seriously, you have no sense of determination or motivation and you are quite dense.

I do not believe you are dense. You have proved you CAN do well and perhaps that 2.2 GPA was a wake up call. Continue your education and keep your grades up. You have very decent DAT scores and you can improve on them by studying over the next few years and taking post-bach courses.

 

[efficient]

Get a masters and kick the #$% of the DAT

 

[Valleyfornia]

I agree with the others, go a year extra and get a masters (2 years).

 

[HoangDDS]

Some schools only take DAT scores up to 3 yrs back. So you gotta keep that in mind. But definetely get into an SMP, which is not gonna be easy with that undergrad GPA.

If this is your dream. Don't give up. Bust it and keep on going.

 

[doc3232]

Get A's and A+s. Are A+'s possible for grads, if not then never mind.
If you have the time IMO, repeat the DAT.
the 2.2 is too low.

 

[AndyK]

Not trying to bum you down or anything... but what kind of masters program can you get into with a 2.2? I would do post-bac instead of masters.

 

[heatwheat]

I would seriously try aiming for a 4.0. 3.5 is good, but a 4.0 shows you have both maturity and brains.